Who Can Obtain An Asbestos Settlement?
A victim of an asbestos induced injury may be eligible for an asbestos settlement as a compensation for their damages and losses. An asbestos injury is caused by exposure to the material. Toxic airborne fibers contaminate the air and that can be extremely dangerous and harmful to anyone who ingests or inhales them. As a result, serious or fatal health conditions may develop in an affected person.
Diseases caused by asbestos exposure include lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is not a cancer, however, very serious as it causes the build up of scar tissue that directly impairs the regular function of the lungs. The latency period of asbestosis can exceed 30 years. Other than lung cancer, cancer of the pancreas, the kidneys, colon and larynx can be a result of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is rare, but it is a fatal form of cancer and it is exclusively linked to the exposure to asbestos. Before a patient shows the first signs of mesothelioma, the illness has usually remained dormant for many years or even up to several decades.
Asbestos occurs naturally as a fibrous mineral. It has been manufactured to a broad spectrum of products for over hundred years. The risks involved by getting exposed to asbestos, has been known for a long time. However, some corporations decided against their better knowledge and continued to have their employees getting in frequent and intense contact with the material, without the adequate protection.
And even nowadays, 1.5 million workers in asbestos jobs such as in ship building, railroad and automotive production, are still exposed to the hazardous substance. The government did enact rules and regulations in relation to the amount of asbestos an employee can be exposed to, which is 0.1 fibers per ccm over the course of eight hours. Over a period of 30 minutes, 1 fiber per ccm is permissible.
If a worker gets injured and develops an illness that is a direct result of an employer’s negligence to protect him properly, he may have the legal grounds to file charges and seek compensation through an asbestos settlement amounts. When filing for an asbestos lawsuit, the assistance of a specialized and reputable asbestos attorney can not only help you to protect your rights as a victim, but also ensure that you get the maximum out of your case. An asbestos lawsuit is founded on the victim’s ability to prove that his injuries were caused by the exposure to asbestos, and that the injuries occurred due to the defendant’s negligence. Frequently, an asbestos settlement does not go into court, but can be negotiated with the defendant’s insurance company before trial. The stature of limitations gives a claimant a certain amount of time in which he needs to come forward and file his claim. That time period can vary from jurisdiction and state.
If you have suffered asbestos injuries and want to learn more about possible compensation options, it is advisable to contact a mesothelioma lawyer and schedule a free consultation.
